Author's notes:
Ran - Just a warning here, there's some explicit material in this chapter. Surprise surprise, Michael and David.
Kage - Yeah, they get a little...overwhelmed…
Ran - They bang, guys. They just...bang.
A month after the mess at the Emerson house, things seemed to have fallen into a nice routine for the boys. No Max to bother them, or errands for them to run in order to make sure his businesses went unhindered. No more ridiculous discussions about family and bonding...which were mainly one-sided, anyway. Especially since most of them consisted of Max instructing each and every member of the pack how he'd dress for their first Christmas card...they really were much better off without him. And even if Michael may not have experienced the brunt of his insanity, he'd certainly seen enough of the bastard to know he didn't like him. Trying to turn his mother and little brother notwithstanding.
Of course, there were still a few unresolved issues. The main one in question being a certain agitation that seemed to hang in the air. Michael could feel it, even as inexperienced as he was, and he wasn't sure what to think. Sometimes he'd look at their leader and catch a funny look, get a strange feeling in the pit of his gut like he was expected to say something. But he didn't know what. So he'd ignore it...and maybe an hour or so later, they'd go for a hunt. Funny thing, David had once said he could go up to three days without feeding. Now he seemed to be eating a lot more than even Michael.
And tonight, David was outside looking after his bike...someone had gotten into a fender bender with their pack leader. Now he didn't have a fender or a head to bend anymore. The rest of them were relaxing in the hotel lobby...especially Paul. Tonight was not one of his more sober nights, and Michael could tell, even as distracted as he was with the walkman he'd filched off of said fender bending victim. He tried to ignore it, though, relaxing on the couch and closing his eyes while Freddie Mercury sang about breaking free.
Paul grinned, slightly stumbling toward him, a huge grin splitting his face, "Heeeeeey, Mikey…" He licked his lips, "How's it goin'?" The smile he gave was supposed to be seductive but he was high and Michael wasn't impressed.
Michael flicked a claw over the volume on his walkman and cranked it up.
Marko stroked one of his pigeons and sat on the fountain, smirking privately. He knew that funny look Paul had on his face...this was going to be good.
Paul slid closer, reaching out, fingers going through Michael's hair, "Ya know, been think', you, me," he waggled his eyebrows, "we could have some fun."
Growling, Michael jerked his headphones down and gave Paul a good shove, "fuck off, man. I'm trying to relax here, and I've told you before I'm not now, nor will I ever be into that shit!" He reached up to smooth back his hair. He hated when people touched his hair.
"Aww, come on, Mikey, I'll make it so good for your sexy, virgin ass." Paul wasn't giving up, he moved back close to him.
Michael gagged, "real pretty mental image, Paul. Thanks." He stood up and very pointedly crossed the lobby to sit down on the fountain, well away from Paul and his freaky drug-addled libido. "Stay away from me, dude. I mean it…" He glanced at Marko beside him. "Why don't you take care of it for him, huh?"
"Because, he's an inconsiderate asshole." Marko grumbled.
Paul didn't seem deterred, if anything he was even more determined to get into Michael's pants. He slid up to him again ,"Come on, baby, I promise it'll be so good."
Michael stared at him incredulously. It was like he was prancing around in the cave dressed like a dragged-out whore, the way this guy was talking to him right now. "Last warning," he narrowed his eyes, setting his walkman aside after having safely and calmly wrapped up the headphones.
Paul leaning close, moving in to kiss him. Michael's fist sailed right towards those puckered lips. Paul's eyes went wide as that fist impacted his jaw but in a flash he tackled the younger vampire, growling lowly. Michael hissed up at him, baring his fangs and kicking off his boots so he could use his clawed feet to dig into Paul's stomach and push. Paul howled, grabbing at Michael's hair and yanking. He always went for the hair. Michael screeched and managed to land another punch on Paul's face, dislodging the claws in his scalp. For a few short seconds, he managed to get the upper hand and pin Paul to the ground, even trying to stand up and cross the lobby, before Paul grabbed his ankle and yanked him back down. They were spitting and hissing again, clawing and tearing at each other's jackets. As they were rolling around on the floor David decided to make an appearance.
"What the fuck is going on in here?" His voice echoed through the hotel, eyes flashing as he saw red. Paul was on top of Michael, only for a moment before they were off and rolling again but it was enough to thoroughly piss him off.
"Girls were getting hot and bothered," Marko smirked, poking the sleeping bear. Because fuck Paul.
David's gaze focused on his fledgling and the blonde rocker, "Get off." He snarled, grabbing Paul and pulling him off, snarling lowly, teeth bared.
Dwayne lowered the magazine he was reading, glancing over at the scene for the first time and then back down at an article he was fascinated by...he smirked, watching the drama play out in front of him.
David clamped his teeth down on the back of Paul's neck, pinning him there, showing his dominance. The moment he went limp, he let him go, turning his gaze to Michael.
"Do you submit?" He growled lowly, golden eyes focused on his fledgling.
Eyeing him warily, Michael propped himself up on his elbows with a frown, "I didn't even do anything. I was just listening to my fucking music," he said quietly.
"Just submit, show your throat and submit." Michael still couldn't quite communicate without words yet but he could hear them and understand.
"Submit to what?! It wasn't my fault!" Michael protested, digging his hole. He couldn't believe this shit! Not once did he ever start a fight, and now he was being told to submit like he was a little bitch?!
Dwayne shrugged, he tried, "Suit yourself, this is all you."
David was on him in a flash, pinning him to the ground, pressing the length of his body along the young vampire's back, before driving his fangs into the side of his neck. He had done this countless times before, especially to Paul and Marko, but he had never felt anything like this before. It felt...right.
Michael howled, clawing at the ground beneath him and trying to scratch at the earth, doing his best not to shove David away and make the pain worse. What's more...something beyond that. Fuck...no! This felt way better than it should...he began to panic, and if his heart could still beat, it would be hammering in his chest in fear. Quickly, he settled down, not wanting to explore this fucked up feeling he was getting. He grew still and hoped David got the message. He was done fighting.
David let out a final growl before pulling back slowly, his tongue chasing the last traces of blood, "Good boy." He rumbled, his voice running through him, making him feel even better before David got to his feet, his tongue chased the taste, it was addicting.
"That good?" Marko snickered, letting his pigeon take flight and glancing back at Dwayne. The other vampire shrugged, lifting up his magazine and going back to his reading. Meanwhile, Paul pouted in the corner.
David growled softly, feeling calmer than he had in awhile, ever since he dealt with Max, "Tomorrow night we're going out to the boardwalk, need to get out of here for awhile…" What he really wanted to do was explore this feeling more, see what it was about Michael that calmed him down.
As for Michael, who'd climbed to his feet and snatched up his walkman, he would be more than happy to pretend...that...had never happened. Damn it, why couldn't Star have stuck around? At least he'd have an outlet. He sighed, putting his headphones back on and sitting down on the couch, glaring over at Paul...who had effectively ruined what had been a pretty good night for him before.
Dwayne looked at his magazine again before glancing at David and then back down, yeah, he had a good idea about exactly what was going on with their pack leader.
Star hitched up her skirt, examining the scrape on her calf. She'd never tire of seeing how long it took for scratches to heal now...she smiled privately to herself and knelt down to press the cloth of her skirt against the scrape and ease the bleeding. She couldn't believe it when a month ago she'd woken up in the morning...no hunger...human. What's more, she'd fallen asleep practically in a frenzy, had even come to the point where she'd decided to finally give in and feed the next night. Laddie at her side would have as well...she'd been the only one holding him back.
But when she realized she was human again, she'd happily taken him home, started living life again. She didn't know why it had happened; she didn't even want to know...she was just happy it had. And now that she was back in Santa Carla to visit Laddie before heading to Washington to track down her family, she knew she'd never go back to that cave or...whatever might still be lurking in there. Taking a deep breath, Star headed inside a clothing shop with a toss of her hair and a light-hearted smile.
Getting back on the boardwalk was liberating. David felt like he was back in his element. Michael and the boys were with him, everything was going just the way it should be. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, breathing in the smells of the boardwalk. He paused, eyes narrowing slightly, there was a smell, a familiar one. One that he had hoped to never encounter again. Star. What was she doing back in his city? He took in another breath, sniffing the air. She was still here, the scent was too strong for her to be gone. This was something that was going to have to be dealt with and soon.
Dwayne eyed David thoughtfully. He could smell her too, but it didn't really bother him overly much. She smelled human. She also didn't have a fighting bone in her body...if she showed up, it probably had nothing to do with them. "I was reading a magazine last night," he began conversationally, keeping his thoughts between him and David.
David glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, "What about?"
Shrugging, Dwayne avoided looking at Michael so as not to draw his attention, and stepped closer to David, peering at him intently. Hoping he'd catch on. "Wolves. Mating. We're a lot like wolves, David. You know, alpha males...they kind of have a need to do it. I mean, we don't breed, so I can't imagine it has much to do with offspring...if it's something one of us would do, too."
He scowled slightly, "Are you saying you want to be my mate?" He looked confused, Dwayne had never said anything about it before, "Haven't mentioned it before…"
Dwayne looked at him incredulously, "I was talking about Michael."
David growled softly, "You want to mate Michael." His eyes flashed gold for a moment, only Dwayne able to see.
Throwing his hands up, Dwayne just shook his head and snorted, "David...sometimes you're dumber than Paul."
He scowled, looking thoughtful, "What? I should mate him?" And that thought wasn't totally unappealing, not at all.
"Where are you going, Mikey?" Marko peered over at Michael, who'd pushed away from his bike.
"I was going to go look at some jackets...asshole over there ripped my sleeve," he nodded back at Paul, who scowled at him in turn. Still a little moody about the previous night, apparently.
David watched him go thoughtfully, mulling over Dwayne's thoughts about wolves and mates. Maybe he was right, maybe he needed a mate to even out all this insanity he was feeling. He didn't want to wind up like Max, he wouldn't let that happen. He went back to his bike, leaning against it and looking up at the stars.
Star smiled, she felt safe, it was nice to be back here. She did have good memories even with all that had happened and they did have some of the best clothes. She pulled a skirt off the rack, holding it up to herself and looking in the mirror. Mirrors! It was still so novel.
Michael poked his head through the door, glancing around. This was where he'd bought his jacket last time. Sure, he could just mend it...but he didn't see any harm in getting a spare, anyway. Chances were he'd probably have to deal with Paul's bullshit again in the future, judging by how moody he was acting. Seriously, what was it with that guy? He shook his head with a snort and perused through a few racks of clothes, idly searching for a new shirt too. Why he kept wearing white, he hadn't a clue. Taking a deep breath, he looked up and met the eyes of a nervous sales clerk. Everybody seemed scared of him these days. He wished he could say he didn't kind of like that. "Hey, miss, you got another jacket like this one?" He rasped, plucking at his sleeve.
She gave him a nervous smile, "I'll check in the back...just wait at the jewelry counter…" she nodded behind her and rushed away. He watched her leave, and he couldn't help but lick his lips. He was getting hungry...but that could wait. Shrugging, he strode over to the jewelry counter and leaned against it. His eyes fell on a cute chick standing near a mirror...well, she looked cute from behind anyway. Reminded him of Star, actually. Sneakily, he gave her a wolf whistle. She whirled to face him, eyes going wide at seeing Michael standing there.
"Star?!" He asked incredulously. That one threw him for a loop!
She held the skirt tight to her chest, "Michael. A-Are you alright? Umm, are you…?" She swallowed hard.
He cracked into a wide smile. Couldn't help himself. "Yeah, better than fine. I'm great…" He pushed away from the counter and walked towards her, tucking his hands into his jacket pockets, "how about you? Been alright?" He leaned in closer, sniffing at the air around her just slightly. She was human. Good for her.
She smiled slightly at him, "Good, I'm good, I came to see Laddie. I'm so glad to see you." She didn't notice the sniffing, thankfully, "I'm relieved." Her smile grew a little. She looked over him, "You're still wearing the coat." She paused at his ear, spotting the earring, not quite putting two and two together though. Of course she thought the boys were dead, how else would she be human?
"Ah, yeah," he shrugged. "Was going to get a new one, but I don't think I have enough cash for that and a burger." He quirked an eyebrow, "I think I still owe you one, don't I?"
She laughed and nodded, "Yes, I think you do!"
"Great!" He exclaimed, offering her an arm. Maybe he could convince her to come back...at least get David to chill out a bit. He'd seemed mellow when they first met, and the only explanation Michael had come up with thus far was because Star had been around to keep him calm. Sure, he acted like he didn't want her around, like he was glad to be rid of her...had said it a few times...but Michael was certain that had to be bluster. Otherwise, there just didn't seem to be any explanation for it.
Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes since Michael went to get a new coat. Twenty minutes and there was still no sign of him. David was getting antsy, his fingers drumming against the seat of his bike. Paul and Marko had run off to do who knows what, but Dwayne had stayed with him while he waited for Michael's return.
"What's taking so long?" David grumbled, picking at his nails, he felt antsy, on edge.
"If you're that worried about it, just go find him," Dwayne shrugged, disinterested. He'd given his advice for the night, and that was more than enough. "I'm going to go grab a bite to eat," he turned away from David and strode off down the boardwalk.
The scent of sizzling burgers and Star permeated the air at a burger shack just at the edge of the boardwalk. Dwayne drew to a halt, looking behind him towards David, and then back in the direction of the burger shack. He could smell Michael there, too...well...shit. This wasn't going to turn out well...maybe he'd keep it to himself. Actually, maybe not...if David found out he knew, he'd shit a brick. And as insanely aggressive as he'd been acting lately, especially in regards to Michael, the risk wasn't worth it. "You should grab a burger, David," he threw back over his shoulder...doubting the pack leader would really catch his subtle hint until he saw it for himself. Considering how their last conversation went.
David scowled slightly but he headed that way. There was a problem. He smelled the cooking meat but it was what else he smelled, Michael and...Star. He held back a growl, moving a little faster toward his...his what? Fledgling, future mate? Whatever Michael was it was important to him.
Star smiled at Michael, this was one of the best times she'd had in a long time. She laughed, taking a bite of her food, watching the brunette across from her. Whatever had happened she felt lucky, lucky they had both survived, come out of everything human.
Michael still hadn't quite gotten the hang of actually exploring people's thoughts. The best he could do was catch what the boys were telling him, and maybe if someone thought something incredibly hard...but he still had no idea she thought he was human. Frankly, he didn't think the topic was that important. "I'm really glad I ran into you tonight. I was hoping you could come with me," he suggested, raising his eyebrows slightly. Closure. That was all David needed. Closure. Then he'd chill the fuck out, hopefully.
She scowled slightly, "Come with you? Where?"
He didn't want to freak her out, because she'd definitely been pretty damn terrified the last time he saw her. If she found out he wanted her to go back to the hotel with him, she'd probably lose her mind…so Michael just smiled softly, cajolingly, and a little creepily...because as a vampire, that was the best semblance of nice he could muster, when he placed a hand on hers. "Does it matter?"
"Yeah, Michael, come with you where?" David's voice was in his ear, he felt his hands fall on his shoulders and saw the panic in Star's eyes, "Don't move, Star." He stated firmly, freezing her in place with a glare.
Michael sighed outwardly. He'd hoped this wouldn't have to happen out in public...if Star and David were going to talk, he'd have preferred it was somewhere they didn't have to go on a killing spree to keep the witness count low if David lost his temper, "home?" Michael asked hopefully, not moving an inch. He didn't want to be bitten again...and since David didn't seem to be in a very good mood right now, he was as unpredictable as a viper.
"Home." He let out an angry snort, "No, Michael, she won't be coming home with us, not now, not ever." His hands clenched slightly, "In fact, she's lucky I don't take her home, rip her throat out, and throw her out into the ocean."
"D-David...How're you alive? H-How are Michael and I human if you're alive?" She was gripping the table so tight her knuckles turned white. Michael gave her a sheepish look, but remained silent. Well, this wasn't turning out as well as he'd planned…
"I didn't turn you, that's how I'm alive and you're human. Michael on the other hand, well, I think it's time for him and I to have a little...talk."
Michael closed his eyes, "really? Now? I've still got half a burger left..."
David growled softly, "Wrap it up if you want it, but we're leaving."
Huffing, more than a little frustrated, Michael opened his eyes and glanced at Star, "sorry. Maybe next time, huh?" He had no idea that was probably the last thing he should have said.
David snarled, storming back to the bikes, Michael was his! His! And not Star, not anyone, was going to have him! He waited there, expecting him to follow, the others would show up when they were ready.
Once he was gone, Star didn't wait to say her good-byes to Michael. She was off like the wind, screaming bloody murder...and Michael got a very odd sense of deja vous. He sighed, wrapping up his burger and tossing it in the trash. David could be such a dick sometimes. And he was only getting worse.
David was waiting for him, his bike running, "Meet me back home, Michael." His voice was flat, the anger nearly palpable as he took off. Michael watched him disappear, dumbfounded. What was his problem?!
Dwayne must have passed some kind of message along, because when Michael came back into the hotel, the only other bike he saw was David's. He frowned, striding down the steps as a group of birds took flight around him. He batted at them, coughing as they stirred up a cloud of dust. He didn't even have time to see it coming...
The moment he was inside, David was on him, pinning him down with a growl, "You're mine." He hissed lowly. Michael yelped in surprise as they fell to the ground.
"WHAT THE FUCK, DAVID?!" He shouted, baring his fangs and struggling to push him off.
David snarled, pinning him down with his body, covering him and sinking his fangs into his throat. His hands stayed busy, fumbling to undress them both, at least enough to get to the good part. Michael's eyes widened in shock and a reluctant thrill running down his spine at the feel of David's bite, what was it with these guys?! Fuck, it was like he was a piece of meat!
"Stop," Michael rasped, even as he involuntarily pressed his neck closer against David's mouth, almost urging him to bite deeper. Harder. He couldn't help it. It just felt so good. So very terrible and so very good.
David chuckled softly into the flesh trapped between his teeth, biting down a little harder as he finally managed to wrestle their pants off, "You're mine!" He drove himself into the body beneath him. Michael screamed, the pain driving through the pleasure clouding his mind from David's bite, and he didn't know who he hated more right now, David or himself.
It felt so right, so perfect. Part of him felt bad, this wasn't how he wanted to do it, wasn't how he imagined it, but there was something driving him and he just couldn't stop. He moaned into his neck, giving a little thrust, now that he was inside he had to make this good, had to make it better. He rubbed his tongue over the bite, starting slow, working to claim him, his hands sliding over his body, trying to soothe and work him up at the same time. Memorizing his body as if he couldn't get enough.
For his part, Michael didn't know what to think, or how he should even feel. He was overwhelmed. This just wasn't what he'd ever seen himself doing, not with a guy, not with David, and...well, yeah, definitely not with a vampire. The last part couldn't be helped, though, considering how he'd likely tear up any human partner he got involved with if he decided to go further than heavy petting.
"Why?" Michael half-demanded, half pleaded for an answer as he began to respond to David's ministrations despite his best efforts not to. This just didn't make sense...didn't seem like it could ever make sense. He cried out and clawed at the earth beneath him when he felt David move inside him, and a cooling tongue soothe flesh that felt like it was burning away from his bones for the heat.
David wished he had an answer, "Fuck, had to." He didn't know what else to say, "Need you, mine." He nipped and sucked his skin, claiming and marking him, moving deeply inside him. He was determined to make Michael come before him, he had to, needed to prove he could take care of his mate.
He didn't want to, still didn't want this, but Michael involuntarily pressed back against David, moaning into the ground below him, the sound muffled as he snapped his mouth shut. His own body didn't seem to care whether or not Michael had consented to this. What's more, a part of him was even actively enjoying the violence, which was ten levels of fucked-up.
"Could've asked," Michael remarked dryly, flinching at the pain and throwing his head back as that ache began to finally ease a little, became something closer to actual pleasure, though he doubted the agony would completely go away. With a snarl, he reached back and grabbed at one of David's arms, pulling it forward to sink his fangs into his forearm.
David let out a grunt, his hips snapping forward as he reached around with his free hand and gave him a firm stroke, "Come on." He hissed before sinking his fangs into his shoulder again. He was barely holding on, it wouldn't take much to finish.
Michael's eyes rolled into the back of his skull as he nursed the wound he'd made in David's arm, before finally...oh god...he tore his fangs from the pale flesh and howled as he finally climaxed, exhausted, angry, and bitterly satisfied despite himself. David gave a final thrust in, moaning into his skin as he filled him up, cursing softly under his breath.
"Fuck."
As they collapsed to the ground together in a tangle of limbs, Michael wanted to say something. But...he didn't have any words. He wanted to push David away, curse him, fight him...but he just couldn't summon up the will. "You're a son of a bitch," he mumbled, remaining still.
He chuckled softly into his throat, "Heard that one before." He pulled him close against his chest, "Man, what're we gonna tell the boys?" He felt calmer, more centered, Dwayne was right, he needed this.
Michael closed his eyes, "don't tell them anything. I'm not gay." And if he said anything, Michael would deny it with all of his 'soul' or 'heart', or whatever it was he had now. They'd have a hell of a long road ahead of them.
There had to be a way to save his brother. He couldn't want to be one of the evil undead. Sam sighed, heading for the comic book shop. He would have to do more research, hunt for a way to rescue Mike from their evil clutches. Long before he even drew up to the shop, though, the smell of garlic assaulted his senses, and everyone around him seemed to be rushing away from the source. He scowled, pinching his nose as he walked inside, seeing rows of garlic strung up around the shop.
"What the hell, guys?" His voice came out nasally, "Why do you have garlic strung up?"
Edgar, who'd been standing in the corner on a footstool trying to staple another string of garlic on top of three that were already there, rounded on Sam with a deep frown. He wore a necklace, a belt, and even a sash of garlic, too…"Show me your neck!" He demanded, "are you cool?!"
Meanwhile, Alan crouched behind the counter, spritzing the glass and wood with holy water, eyes trained on Sam as he entered.
"Dude, I'm cool. Umm, the other vamps, they, uh, killed the head vamp in my living room. I think we're safe, pretty sure they're not coming after us." He kept his nose plugged, "You're gonna drive away customers with the garlic!"
"If they don't like garlic and holy water, we don't want em," Alan stated firmly, standing up behind the counter. "Your brother back to normal?"
Edgar jumped down from his stepping stool and slung a rope of garlic over his shoulder, stalking towards Sam and peering at his neck, not trusting his first impression one tiny bit.
He shook his head, "No, he's still a blood sucker. That's what I wanted to talk about, just wanna find a way to fix him, there's gotta be a way."
Snorting, Edgar shook his head and crossed his arms, "not unless that wasn't the real head vampire, buddy. Your bro made his first kill...suck it up and stake him when his back is turned. You'll feel better. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about...I'm an expert."
He glared at him, "I'm not staking my brother! If your brother was munched you wouldn't want to stake him either!"
"Yes he would," Alan defended, "it's the code. We agreed a long time ago before we started this business that no matter what, if one of us vamped out…" He slid his thumb across his neck in a slicing gesture, scowling at Sam. "We'll help you if you need ammo, maybe even teach you the ropes...but unless you're willing to do what you have to do, we can't help you with your brother."
Sam crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the garlic, "Fine, I'll do it myself." He turned and stormed from the store.
Edgar exchanged a look with his brother, grunting, "he'll be back." He paused. "Pass me some garlic jerky."
Author's final notes
Ran - What do you MEAN there's a sequel?! Since when? Why did nobody tell me this?!
Kage - I'm sorry! I couldn't stop myself! It had to happen!
Ran - Ugh. Well...here we go again! Please tell me it's at least right after the events in this story...
Kage - Umm, nope…Sorry...
